Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (2/21/14) – Senior Karyn McCarty hit a three-run home run but it wasn't enough as the University of Detroit Mercy softball team dropped its first game against Southern Miss, 5-4, Friday evening at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

Detroit (1-5) was trailing 2-1 with one out and runners on first and second when McCarty came in as a pinch hitter for Meg Tarrance and drove the first pitch she saw over the left field fence to put the Titans up 4-2.

The Titans scored their first run of the game that same inning as Kayla Kostich singled up the middle to leadoff and stole second, before crossing the plate on an RBI single from Katelyn Steffel that went down the left field line.

Southern Miss (2-9) was able to get one run back in the bottom of the fifth, before scoring two in the bottom the sixth to retake the lead 5-4.

Detroit had the opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh after Kat Hoffman tripled to left field with one out. But Katy Severson struck out swinging and Christa McGahuey lined out to second to end the game.

Julia Maksym started in the circle for Detroit and went 3.1 innings with seven hits, one earned run and one strikeout. Hoffman came on in relief to throw 2.2 innings giving up five hits and three earned runs in the loss.

Shelbee Rodgers pitched the whole game for the Golden Eagles and gave up seven hits and four earned runs, but struck out 14 Titans.

Detroit will stay in Hattiesburg on Saturday for a doubleheader against the Golden Eagles with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.